Opioid Epidemic

Indiana needs to address the opioid epidemic as a public health crisis, not simply a law enforcement issue. I support measures to combat opioid, meth, and other drug addictions through education, prevention, and treatment. Recovery and reentry programs that include workforce engagement are additional tools. Indiana should also legalize medical cannabis. Medical cannabis is already legal in 30 states, and a growing string of studies is showing that cannabis access is associated with lower opioid use and abuse rates. In the war against addiction, cannabis is proving to be an exit drug, not a gateway drug.